The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) today hosted the European–Kenya Business Networks Dialogue on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) at Maa Hotel & Suites, Nairobi. The high-level forum brought together government officials, European Union representatives, development partners, business leaders, and private sector networks to advance conversations on ethical, sustainable, and competitive trade between Kenya and the European Union.

The dialogue was graced by the partners in the project including the State Department for Trade, officials from the European Union Delegation, representatives from the Embassy of Sweden and SIDA, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), and leaders from Kenya’s private sector.

Speaking at the event Dirk Hoffmann, Chief Advisor, Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) asked Kenyan companies to familiarize themselves with global developments with multiple countries currently developing their own legislative approaches to making human rights due diligence mandatory. He described the recent European Partnership Agreement deal which the European Union has termed the most ambitious new deal in terms o sustainability and human rights a hint of where future agreements will look like.

“As part of global value chains African businesses may face increasing requirements to demonstrate how they manage and communicate about human issues. We are happy that the Kenya National Action Plan includes a commitment to make human rights due diligence a mandatory part of licensing process through a revision of the company Act”

Representing the Ministry of Trade and Investment Director for Trade Simon Chelelgo said the government has enhanced engagement with firms especially those in the agricultural sector to ensure they abide with the new rules. He said the government is leading the way in compliance with the formulation of regulation and policies and the review of the Company Act is underway.

In his address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that responsible business conduct has become a global trade imperative. KNCCI highlighted that Kenya exports goods worth KSh 190 billion annually to the European Union, predominantly in coffee, tea, horticulture, and manufacturing hence with new developments such as the EU Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), exporters must strengthen sustainability, traceability, and human rights standards to retain and grow market access.

Dr. Rutto also noted that competitiveness and sustainability are now inseparable, as 7 in 10 European consumers prefer ethically sourced products.

“Responsible Business Conduct is no longer a moral choice; it is a global requirement and a strategic necessity,” said Dr. Rutto. “With the EU shaping over €4 trillion in global trade through sustainability regulations, Kenyan businesses must integrate sustainability and human rights into their operations to remain globally competitive.”

Representing 47 county chambers and over 50,000 enterprises, KNCCI outlined ongoing efforts to embed responsible business principles across Kenya’s private sector. Through the pioneering Business and Human Rights (BHR) Programme, implemented with DIHR and funded by SIDA, KNCCI has:

• Trained 800+ enterprises on sustainability and due diligence.
• Conducted a Sector-Wide Impact Assessment (SWIA) for the coffee industry in 10 counties.
• Supported MSMEs to adopt responsible sourcing and traceability systems.

“These efforts not only empower our MSMEs but reinforce Kenya’s reputation as a reliable and responsible trade partner globally. Let us build a private sector that is globally competitive, ethically grounded, and sustainably driven. Together, we will ensure Kenya’s exports lead globally with integrity, innovation, and impact,” Dr. Rutto added.

The morning sessions featured expert insights on European legislative developments and their implications for international trade. Discussions explored the EU–Kenya Partnership Agreement, sustainability compliance, and practical models of corporate human rights due diligence.

While speaking on the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the European Union Filipo Amato said the new agreement stands out as the only such EPA with an African country where sustainable development takes center stage.

“The Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the European Union is the most ambitious new deal in terms of sustainability and human rights.”

The forum also highlighted the importance of collaboration in navigating emerging global sustainability frameworks with the partners including:

• DIHR,
• EU Delegation, Embassy of Sweden, SIDA,
• UN Global Compact Network Kenya, and
• Leading private sector networks.

Collectively, these stakeholders are supporting businesses to understand EU requirements, adopt RBC practices, and explore new sustainable market opportunities.

In closing, investors were urged to embrace responsible, ethical, and sustainable business as the foundation of long-term trade growth.

The post KNCCI Promotes for Responsible Business, Competitive Trade for a Sustainable Future at the European–Kenya Business Networks Dialogue on Responsible Business Conduct appeared first on KNCCI.

The European Union is the biggest in the world for Kenya’s exports and also a major source of funding for regional security, investment and financial support for Kenya’s development and major partner in bilateral development.

The Ambassador stated that the European Union funds up to 25million Euros of grants   projects that are entirely private sector to support the promotion and development of renewable energy, climate change and energy sectors in Kenya.

“The EU has many ways to support private sector and blending these opportunities can leverage 1.5 Billion Euros to invest in Kenya annually to develop Kenya’s sectors more so those touching on the Big4Agenda.’’ Said Ambassador Moude.

On his side, the Chamber president Mr. Richard Ngatia urged the EU to partner with the Chamber on the proposed SMEs policy making process to achieve more SME friendly regulatory and policy environment.

“The Chamber is ready to work together with the EU to support key investments and industrialization agenda in key areas such as agribusiness and agro processing, ICT, infrastructure and energy”. Said Mr. Nga’tia.

The Ambassador stated that he  has been visiting various counties in Kenya to follow up on the EU funded projects in Laikipia, Kwale and Nakuru and every time he visit these counties he insist on visiting the local Chambers.  One thing that caught his attention is that none of the counties had clue on the EU funded projects that are currently going on in these counties.

On this note, he requested that the Chamber be the central contact of receiving information from the EU and disseminate the same to the regional Chambers.

The Chamber CEO Ms. Angela Ndambuki assured the Ambassador that a technical committee will be formed to address these challenges.  She invited the Ambassador to the upcoming Chamber National Governing Council on 3^rd of December, 2019 where all the County Chairmen and Vice chairmen will be in attendance and use this platform to inform them of the EU projects that are currently ongoing in these counties.

The Chamber 2^nd Vice president Fatma Elmaawy urged the Ambassador to support the Chamber County enterprise investments and trade initiative in promoting sustainable development.

The post KNCCI OFFICIALS MEETS EU AMBASSODOR TO KENYA appeared first on KNCCI.

The European Union is the biggest in the world for Kenya’s exports and also a major source of funding for regional security, investment and financial support for Kenya’s development and major partner in bilateral development.

The Ambassador stated that the European Union funds up to 25 million Euros of grants   projects that are entirely private sector to support the promotion and development of renewable energy, climate change and energy sectors in Kenya.

“The EU has many ways to support private sector and blending these opportunities can leverage 1.5 Billion Euros to invest in Kenya annually to develop Kenya’s sectors more so those touching on the Big4Agenda.’’ Said Ambassador Moude.

On his side, the Chamber president Mr. Richard Ngatia urged the EU to partner with the Chamber on the proposed SMEs policy making process to achieve more SME friendly regulatory and policy environment.

“The Chamber is ready to work together with the EU to support key investments and industrialization agenda in key areas such as agribusiness and agro processing, ICT, infrastructure and energy”. Said Mr. Nga’tia.

The Ambassador stated that he  has been visiting various counties in Kenya to follow up on the EU funded projects in Laikipia, Kwale and Nakuru and every time he visit these counties he insist on visiting the local Chambers.  One thing that caught his attention is that none of the counties had clue on the EU funded projects that are currently going on in these counties.

On this note, he requested that the Chamber be the central contact of receiving information from the EU and disseminate the same to the regional Chambers.

The Chamber CEO Ms. Angela Ndambuki assured the Ambassador that a technical committee will be formed to address these challenges.  She invited the Ambassador to the upcoming Chamber National Governing Council on 3^rd of December, 2019 where all the County Chairmen and Vice chairmen will be in attendance and use this platform to inform them of the EU projects that are currently ongoing in these counties.

The Chamber 2^nd Vice president Fatma Elmaawy urged the Ambassador to support the Chamber County enterprise investments and trade initiative in promoting sustainable development.

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